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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is lodger a CF?

155 replies

Ladiva1971 · 21/03/2018 18:17

I have a lodger his rent includes all bills, however I went on holiday for 2 weeks and on my return he presented me with a £25 top up bill for the gas which he used for heating when I was away. I told him there is no way I am paying for the gas he used when I wasn't here. He says gas and electric is included, but my argument is that if I was on holiday the gas would not have been used so he has to pay it. AIBU?

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 21/03/2018 18:28

Of course you have to pay it, he already pays as part of his rent.

Part of that £25 will be standing charge, you would pay that while away. Also you wouldn't turn the heating off for two weeks at this time of year. You'd pentenially have burst pipes and it would take ages to warm it back up again. If we go away in winter I leave it to come on, but turn down the thermostat a bit.

Avasarala · 21/03/2018 18:28

His bills are included. That's it. You need to pay the gas. If you didn't ensure there was enough to last him while you were away and he had to pay for it, then you need to give him that money back and apologise.

If you didn't have a pre-paid meter, then you'd have paid the bill when it came in from the gas company. But, you've been put on a pre-paid meter and that wasn't the lodgers choice. You didn't leave enough money to cover it so pay up.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 21/03/2018 18:29

Was it £25 more than usual? I think he's a bit unreasonable if he's hiked the heating up!

SpringHen · 21/03/2018 18:30

Was it £25 more than usual? I think he's a bit unreasonable if he's hiked the heating up!

Its been snowing!! Hmm

Original poster
Ladiva1971 · 21/03/2018 18:31

It is a key meter and yes I went away for the last 2 weeks in Feb, however I normally only use about £15 in gas over a two week period but it seems like he has had the heating on 24/7 my argument is why should I reimburse him for that if I wasn't there?

OP posts:
SillySallySingsSongs · 21/03/2018 18:31

YABU and the CF is you.

JeNeBaguetteRien · 21/03/2018 18:31

Please don't let this be a reverse, I love when an OP is so indignant and everyone else is shaking their heads.

Hunter considering there has been snow over much of the UK it would make sense that the heating might be on more than usual.

PeerieBreeks · 21/03/2018 18:32

So you have calculated rent to include bills.

But then want him to pay extra because you weren't there? That's not his fault! He's already paying his share in his rent.

RestingBitchFaced · 21/03/2018 18:33

Your argument is invalid! If its included its included!

PeerieBreeks · 21/03/2018 18:33

Why?

Because his rent includes bills. Which you decided when you rented out your room.

JeNeBaguetteRien · 21/03/2018 18:34

It is a key meter and yes I went away for the last 2 weeks in Feb, however I normally only use about £15 in gas over a two week period but it seems like he has had the heating on 24/7 my argument is why should I reimburse him for that if I wasn't there?

So he only used £10 more than usual during some of the coldest weather we've had. Ywbu not to leave the meter topped up. Please reimburse the lodger.

AnxiousAllTheTimeNow · 21/03/2018 18:34

YABU. He still needs to use the heating regardless of whether you're there or not Hmm

Avasarala · 21/03/2018 18:34

You've had your answer. No one is going to agree with you.

How rent includes all bills - it does not matter if you are there or you are away. You have a contract - his rent includes bulls. You didn't leave enough money on it, he had to pay from him own pocket for bills which he's already paid as they are INCLUDED IN HIS RENT.

It was bloody freezing - you would use more gas.

Pay up.

stitchglitched · 21/03/2018 18:34

Presumably you still took his rent for the 2 weeks you were away? You should have topped the meter up yourself for him before you left. Since you didn't you need to reimburse him. Unless your contract states that rent is only inclusive when you are at home too. Like a pp said is he supposed to sit in the dark and cold if you are away?

purplelila2 · 21/03/2018 18:35

YABVVVVU !!!!!!

Bills included means just that.

Ellendegeneres · 21/03/2018 18:35

I’m hearing cha cha slide ‘reverse reverse!’ For some reason

Idontdowindows · 21/03/2018 18:35

why should I reimburse him for that if I wasn't there?

So you expect your lodger, who pays you INCLUDING gas and electric, to sit in the dark and cold when you're not there.

You have a contract that INCLUDES his heating and electric. You didn't leave him enough money to heat the house so he had to pay it himself.

You owe him.

Original poster
Ladiva1971 · 21/03/2018 18:35

Thanks for the replies people, seems he is in the right and I shall pay up.

OP posts:
Nousernameforme · 21/03/2018 18:36

It has been incredibly cold. I expect the heating has needed to be on. You need to pay up sorry

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 21/03/2018 18:40

You must be daft if you really think "when I'm on holiday no gas will be used". He lives there too, and pays you for the privilege (all bills included).

lakeshoreliving · 21/03/2018 18:40

My first thought was that this has to be a reverse but if it isn't then you are being much cheekier than he is. He is paying for a heated house so you have to heat it regardless of you being there or not.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 21/03/2018 18:42

Well that's a victory for reason OP well done slightly mystified you had to check, but hey ho

Babymamamama · 21/03/2018 18:42

OP has acknowledged and accepted majority views. See above. Smile

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 21/03/2018 18:43

And you should apologise.

KochabRising · 21/03/2018 18:44

It’s been really cold - maybe that 25 quid stopped your pipes from freezing and a subsequent flood.

YABU. Bills included means just that.

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